Significant success in the fight against smuggling of goods subject to excise tax (excise tax), as well as in the fight against financial crimes, fraud against the interests of the Greek state and the EU. and in ensuring the health of citizens, noted the auditors of the Operational Department of the State Children’s Educational Institution. Attica.

After the proper use of information and coordinated operational actions in the Attica region, a network of smuggled and falsified alcoholic beverages was liquidated.

In particular, inspections and investigative actions were carried out on January 8, 2022 in three houses in the center of Athens and in the southern suburbs, which were used for the production, bottling, storage and distribution of smuggled and counterfeit alcoholic products.

In total, it was discovered and seized:

• 700 liters of alcoholic beverage of unknown origin in plastic container bottles and stainless steel tanks.
• 100 bottles of branded spirits that have been refilled and bottled with alcohol of unknown origin.
• 3000 fake stickers, plugs and valves.
• Equipment for bottling and production of alcoholic beverages, stainless steel containers, pigments and other accessories for bottling counterfeit drinks.
• 3,500 empty bottles of branded alcoholic beverages that were meant to be refilled with adulterated alcoholic beverages and provided to consumers.
• Two vehicles that were used to transport smuggled and counterfeit alcoholic beverages.

Three people (foreigners) found in the warehouses were arrested, and a criminal case was initiated against four people (foreigners) who escaped arrest.

The arrested persons were brought to the Athenian Prosecutor’s Office of First Instance by autophoros for forgery of documents, for violation of the provisions of the Customs and Commercial Code, the provisions of Law 146/1914 on unfair competition, as well as Law 4251./2014 and Law .3386/2005 on illegal entry of a foreigner into Greece.

Samples were taken from the above confiscated amount of alcoholic products, which were sent for examination to the Chemical Service. The confiscated alcoholic beverages were transferred for storage to storage facilities.

Athens Customs determines the applicable duties and other taxes applicable to alcoholic beverages.

An investigation is ongoing to establish the total amount of alcoholic beverages sold by those involved, as well as the businesses to which they were given.